Smart & Easy Mattress Buying Guide

Buying the wrong mattress isn’t a small inconvenience. It’s a quick drain on mood, focus and productivity. You spend roughly 7–8 hours a night in bed. That’s about 2,500–3,000 hours a year, many of which are spent kicking off the covers, flipping the pillow constantly, and shifting every few minutes. The results? Fatigue, being unfocused at work, skipped workouts or canceled plans.

This doesn’t necessarily come from choosing a “bad mattress” either. It comes from choosing the wrong mattress for the type of sleeper you are. Are you a side sleeper but bought a mattress better for back sleepers? Poor sleep. Stomach sleeper with a side sleeper mattress? Long, restless nights. With so many types like foams, coils, or hybrids offering various features and sold by competing brands, it’s easy to walk away with the wrong fit and thousands of hours of poor sleep.

The fix is simple: learn how to buy the right mattress. It all comes down to picking the correct size, matching your sleep style with the correct combination of features, considering any sleep problems and how best to address them, and type of mattress that provides the best support for you. Then the last layer that most shoppers skip: getting the finishing touches that provide the ultimate sleep experience.

This smart, easy-to-use buying guide gives you the knowledge you need to find the right mattress companion so you can trade in restless nights and drained days for better rest and happier mornings.

How to Choose the Perfect Mattress

Pick the Right Size

Choose a mattress size that fits you, your room size and your lifestyle.

Twin (75"L x 38"W)
Twin XL (80"L x 38"W)
Full (75"L x 54"W)
Queen (80"L x 60"W)
King (80"L x 76"W)
California King (84"L x 72"W)

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Match Comfort to Your Sleep Type

Comfort can seem like the easiest decision in mattress shopping, yet it is often the one that causes the most regret at 3 a.m. A soft, plush mattress may sound like a dream, but if you are a stomach sleeper, that same softness can let your hips sink too far and pull your spine out of alignment. What felt cozy at bedtime can turn into a stiff, achy back by morning and discomfort that follows you through the day.

Thankfully, the solution is simple. Pay attention to how you wake up, not how you fall asleep. That reveals your true sleep position. Once you know that, match it to the right comfort level (soft, medium, or firm) to support your body the way it actually rests through the night.

Side Sleeper

A firm or medium mattress takes a hit to your shoulder when you're a side sleeper. You shift all night, hip feels jammed, and by morning your arm might even feel numb. Soft comfort cushions where you need it most. \ Why it works: - Effective pressure relief for hips & shoulders - Highly recommended for those experiencing joint pain [Shop Mattresses for Side Sleepers](/mattress/side-sleepers)

Back Sleeper

If your mattress is too soft, your lower back sinks and tightens by morning. Too firm, and your spine never fully relaxes. Either way, you start the day stiff. Medium comfort balances cushioning and support. **Why it works:** - Effective pressure relief & promotes proper spinal alignment - Recommended for couples with varying comfort needs

Stomach Sleeper

That subtle sink in a mattress that’s too soft is often what leads to a sore back the next day for stomach sleepers. When your hips dip too low, it pulls your spine out of alignment and puts strain on your lower back. Firm comfort keeps your body leveled and supported. **Why it works:** - Reduces sinking to support spinal alignment - Highly durable & resistant to body impressions

Side Sleeper

Back Sleeper

Stomach Sleeper

In-Store Mattress Tip:

If you’re shopping for a mattress in store, lie down in your usual sleep position for 5–10 minutes. This amount of time will help you notice pressure points, how your back is supported, and whether you can change positions easily.

For personalized guidance, visit your nearest mattress showroom and our trained associates will be available to help you narrow down the right options and choose the perfect mattress with confidence.

Look For Built-In Features

Pressure Relief

Pressure points are what turn sleep into a wrestling match. Shoulders jammed, hips ache, and that pins-and-needles tingle shows up because the mattress is not spreading your weight evenly. A surface that contours to your body to distribute your weight more effectively keeps you from waking up sore. **Prioritize mattresses with specialty foams like:** - Memory Foam - Gel Memory Foam - Latex **Look for terms like:** pressure relief, comfort layers, conforming, or memory foam.

Motion Isolation

Sharing a bed shouldn’t feel like sleeping on a trampoline. When your partner moves or takes a midnight bathroom trip, it pulls you out of a deep sleep and breaks up your REM cycles, which matters for next-day mood and focus. **Shop mattresses with:** - High-density memory foam on the surface layer. - Individually wrapped coils or high-density foams at the base layer. Look for terms like: pocketed coils, individually wrapped coils, motion isolation, high density foam.

Temperature Management

Sleeping hot can leave you waking up sweaty, sticky, and with damp sheets that force you into extra sheet changes. Avoid adding to your never ending pile of laundry by shopping mattress materials that reduce heat buildup and improve airflow: - Phase change materials in the mattress ticking or foam comfort layers. - PE yarn woven into the mattress ticking. - Specialty foams with gel or graphite. - Layers that provide airflow. **Look for terms like:** cooling, gel foam, breathable cover, phase-change fabric, airflow layer, cooling technology, temperature regulation or temperature management.

Pressure Relief

Motion Isolation

Temperature Management

A mattress packed with features can look like the perfect fix, but choosing based on features alone is how you end up back where you started: uncomfortable and second-guessing your decision. Always refer back to your sleep type first, making sure your comfort level matches. Then choose the features that support it, not the other way around.

Match Mattress Type to Your Support Needs

Mattress type is why two beds with the same comfort level can feel completely different. “Medium” can feel like a gamble. One mattress lets your hips sink too far and leaves you stuck in the bed. Another feels so firm at the surface your shoulders never quite relax. That is why shopping by comfort alone can be frustrating.

What really determines how a mattress feels is what is inside it. The comfort and support layers do the real work. They shape how the mattress responds when you move, how well it supports your body, and in some cases how it manages airflow and temperature.

Foam Mattresses

Your partner’s movement keeps pulling you awake, and your shoulders and hips feel like they never fully settle in. Foam is the go-to when you want your mattress to melt around you and contour to your body.

Best for:

Couples sensitive to movement & need motion isolation.
Achieving that “hugging” feel.
Pressure relief.

Consider if: you want deep contouring, a quieter feel and less bounce.

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Innerspring Mattresses

Feeling stuck in bed can turn changing positions into work. You have to climb out of your mattress just to roll over, making you feel restless. Innerspring offers responsive support so you sleep easy and move effortlessly.

Best for:

A classic, traditional mattress feel.
Spinal alignment and aches/pains relief from active pushback support layer (springs).
Motion isolation with independently wrapped coils.
Proper airflow from breathable structure.

Consider if: you like a lift-and-support feel and easy movement.

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Hybrid (coils + foam layers)

Compromising on a mattress type is how you end up with “just okay” sleep. With foam, you feel stuck. With innerspring, you miss that cushioned relief. Hybrid types remove the trade-off by pairing a cozy, pressure-relieving top with lifted, responsive support underneath, so combo sleepers and couples with different needs can both sleep easy.

Best for:

Combo sleepers and couples.
Optimal support and comfort with pressure relieving foams.
Responsive support from coils.
Consider if: you want the benefits of foam and innerspring mattresses, or have various sleeping positions.

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Because Your Mattress Can't Do It Alone

A mattress is only one part of your overall sleep solution. The wrong pillow can throw off alignment, overheating can interrupt rest, and a poor foundation can make even a great mattress feel less supportive. Get your sleep accessories right, and your mattress can perform at its best while your entire sleep environment feels more comfortable, complete, and built to last.

Pillows

Instead of turning just your head, you have to turn your whole body because the wrong pillow left you with that infamous kink in your neck. Think of pillows as the bed for your head—they help keep your spine aligned, so choosing the right one can help prevent morning neck pain.

Choose a Pillow Based on Your Sleeping Style:

Side Sleepers

Choose: Thick & firm pillows
Why: Fills the shoulder-to-head gap for better spine alignment

Stomach Sleepers

Choose: Thin pillows
Why: Keeps the neck in a neutral position and supports proper alignment

Back Sleepers

Choose: Medium pillows
Why: Provides support without pushing the head too far forward

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Mattress Protectors

One small accident can turn a big investment into a permanent stain or worse, a lingering odor and an unexpected expense for professional cleaning. Purchase a mattress protector to create an effective barrier, improve comfort and protect your warranty.

Protector types:

Waterproof barriers to help prevent liquids from soaking into the mattress.
Temperature regulation so heat doesn’t build around you.
Allergen resistance

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Sheets

You fall asleep fine… then wake up hot and sweaty, throwing the sheets off your legs and flipping the pillow just to cool down. Sheets matter because they control the surface temperature and texture of your bed. Prioritize breathable materials and weaves if you sleep hot or want a specific feel.

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Adjustable Bases

Waking up with a stiff lower back, propping yourself up on a pile of pillows, or snoring throughout the night happens when your bed only has one position. Adjustable bases help raise and lower your upper and lower body so you can personalize your sleeping position for optimal comfort. Plus, many are a lifestyle enhancer with features such as massage, USB ports, integrated Bluetooth music, sleep trackers, relaxation modes, and snore activation.

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Shop Rooms To Go Mattresses with Confidence

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Delivery Options

**No all-day delivery windows. No one-choice delivery. You can choose the best delivery option to fit your needs:** - **Doorway Delivery:** Item placed outside your front door; assembly/unpacking not included. - **Premium Delivery:** Includes a 4-hour delivery window, delivery to any room, full assembly of most items, and packaging removal. - **Self Pick Up:** Free pickup from a distribution center near you. Old mattress removal is available in many areas when you purchase a new mattress with premium/full-service delivery.

90-night Sleep Trail

We’ve all been there: shopped diligently, did our research... then stuck with an expensive purchase that didn’t work out. Not with Rooms To Go. We offer a one-time, 90-night Mattress Sleep Trial that allows you to exchange your mattress if you’re not satisfied after an adjustment period. - You can exchange after 30 nights and before 90 nights post-delivery. - One exchange per purchase. - Mattress must be in good condition. See the policy page for full terms.

Test Mattresses with Expert Help

Buying a mattress online is convenient - but comfort is personal. Visit your local Rooms To Go showroom to test different mattress types, firmness levels, and brands in person. Our in-store mattress specialists can guide you based on your sleep position, comfort preferences, and budget. Lie down, compare support, and experience the difference for yourself before making a decision.

Delivery Options

90-night Sleep Trail

Test Mattresses with Expert Help

Mattress Shopping with No Regrets

The wrong mattress doesn’t just cost you money. It costs you nights of restless sleep and mornings that start stiff and sluggish. It begins with what feels like a safe choice: a familiar brand in the right size and a comfort level you think will feel right. The real mistake is not confirming whether the comfort matches your sleep position, the type provides the proper support, and the features address your specific sleep concerns.

Understanding your sleep style and what your body truly needs makes exploring an extensive selection of top mattress brands like Tempur‑Pedic, Sealy Posturepedic, Beautyrest, Helix Sleep, Casper, Tuft and Needle and Serta much easier. Whether you want to test different models in a showroom or carefully compare options online, knowing what to look for makes the process smoother.